AVOID GETTING FLU AND GERMS ON AIRPLANES: 27 HEALTH TIPS

Commercial airplanes may be carriers of more epidemics than any other single source.

I think I now better understand why airlines are called "carriers."

It is no wonder that new strains of something can travel from a remote village in Africa around the world to our most sophisticated cities like Paris, New York, LA or Chicago in a matter of days. They go by commercial airliner! So when you board the airplane, you may have unseen, invisible traveling companions.

I have circled the globe more than 20 times, and I am often on long trips in airplanes. My work as president of BBAR Inc. Appraisals/Environmentals requires that I get around and do so quickly.  I never get sick from flying because I am careful and attentive.  I take precautions, but they are rarely noticed by anyone. One hot, dusty day we landed in Bangladesh, and the pilots waited a while with the AC running before opening the door. When the doors were opened, dust, odors, and people covered with 'Bangladesh' crowded into the plane. I was not accustomed to such a contrast and change, and some of them had dirty clothes, mud on their shoes, and pungent food in their mouths. Later, when we took off, I brought out my little "sanitary wipe" and re-cleaned "my area." After a few moments, a mother with kids and family sitting nearby asked, "Excuse me, sir, do you have some extra alcohol-saturated, sanitary wipes?" I then realized and appreciated her diligence to keep her family clean and healthy. I was glad to give her a packet.

Here are some tried and true pointers for you and your associates or families for staying healthy on airplanes. COPY THIS AND SHARE WITH TRAVELERS. 

THE MAIN POINT:  DON'T TOUCH, AND DON'T BE TOUCHED.

• The window seat has less exposure to other people, their sneezing and germs. You are less likely to be touched there. But don't touch the window with your head or face!
• Seats in back of the plane (especially if you enter early) have less exposure but also poorer fresh air circulation. IRONICALLY: The perfect seat? Front row window seat!
• Do not touch or shake hands with others. 
• Whatever you touch deserves a light wipe with your sanitizer on you and that surface.
• Always take a hot, soapy shower and shampoo after traveling. Or if on a long international flight connection, soap off during layovers.
• Do not drink airplane faucet water as studies indicate fecal material presence ... use bottled water.
• Carry alcohol wipes or compounds with high alcohol content for personal sanitation.
• Never touch your face, nose, eyes or mouth.
• Pretend you are a doctor about to go into surgery. Clean your arms, hands, everything that could spread or contact surfaces with germs
• Remember kids, old and sick people are germ bombs, so keep your distance.
• Pretend to cough to encourage others to back away. (Or pretend that you are a life insurance salesman or a preacher, almost equally effective.)
• Do not touch or accept snack packs or unwrapped utensils. Be sure and alcohol wipe soft-drink cans and paper cups, especially the rim that you drink from. Yes, wipe them off. Think how many hands have touched those.
• If you open or close air vents, wipe them with alcohol first. How many people blew their noses and then turned on the air?
• Seat-back pockets have been "crammed" with every known bit of garbage. Try to keep your hands out of them. If you do use them, wipe your hands and wrists.
• Any kind of bathroom areas while travelling are potentially germ-covered. Wash and wipe if you have to use them.

Wipe or sanitize:

1. Hand tray control knob.
2. Hand tray surface and edge.
3. Seat control knob.
4. Seat arm rests.
5. Seat belt lever bracket.
6. Above bin lever and touch edges.
7. Window shade lever.
8. Hands, forearms and wrists.
9. Anything you touch.
10. Wipe your face with sanitizer, be careful of your eyes. 
11. Sanitize back of neck and head rest on seat.
12. Or to simplify, just sanitize your hands before and after you touch anything.

And to answer your question, yes, feel free to copy this and give to your associates. Just remind them of www.benboothe.com.  Our compliments to you, and we at Boothe and Associates all say:  Stay healthy and you contribute to a clean environment. Enjoy your trip!